Green Party of British Columbia responses

Question 1:

According to the British Columbia Medical Association, healthcare is the number one issue for British Columbians. British Columbia has been recognized as providing some of the best care for cancer patients in Canada. What are you going to do to improve on this record and continue providing not just good care but good outcomes for cancer patients and survivors in the province?

Response:

BC Greens really believe in our province’s health care system. We want to restore it to its glory days, and ensure that our system remains universal and single-tiered. Greens have plans to bring more doctors to our province, and ensure that care in both urban and rural areas is of a high standard.

BC Greens also believe that prevention and early detection are key to helping control healthcare costs in our province. Through a number of programs we will make British Columbians healthier, and ensure that they can get the tests they need to ensure they get an early jump on any potential problems.

Question 2: The Canadian Medical Association Journal published research in 2012 that showed one in ten Canadians report they skip doses or decide not to fill prescriptions because of cost, with the highest incidence of cost non adherence happening in BC.[1] If elected to government, what will you do to make prescription medications more affordable?

Response:

BC Greens are concerned with the high personal cost of health care in BC. We would phase out MSP premiums and instead fund healthcare from general revenue. Greens would also put in place programs to reduce the financial burden on British Columbians fighting illness and their families.

Question 3:

A key element of ensuring timely treatment for a cancer patient is ensuring they have access to the medications they need at the time they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in British Columbia. If elected to government, will you commit to ensuring that all cancer patients in British Columbia receive timely access to medications at the time they need it?

Response:

Greens are concerned with the supply of medication from pharmaceutical companies. BC Greens would explore options to ensure that supply meets demand in our province, including the consideration of a Crown corporation to bulk purchase and dispense medications in BC.

Question 4:

BC’s PharmaCare Prosthetic and Orthotic Program currently provides some reimbursement for medical devices to treat lymphedema, up to $150 for ready-made compression garments and up to $300 for custom-made garments.[2] However, this is limited to use for the upper body. If elected to government, will you commit to extending current levels of reimbursement for lymphedema treatment so that funding for compression garments is available, regardless of the underlying cause or location of lymphedema?

Response:

BC Greens believe that treatment should be equal for all British Columbians, regardless of the cause of their illness. Compression garments are a common treatment for Lymphedema, and Greens believe that all those affected in our province should have equal access to this and other effective treatment options.